Independence

On a solemn morning, a young lawyer looked out over a bay and witnessed something quite unexpected. The year was 1814 and the young man had just been a spectator to 25 hours of bombardment. The emotions he felt that morning lead him to pen a poem that would no doubt solidify not only what he felt, but also the feelings of a newly birthed nation. It was circled in a handout under the title of "Defence of Fort McHenry."

Later, after the addition of music, it was renamed and we know it today as the Star-Spangled Banner. The young lawyer's name was Francis Scott Key.

Now, I don't give mention to all of that for a history lesson. But it's weight as such is worthwhile. No, instead I use it to bring to light how we currently feel. No doubt our own feelings echo those felt by the people who were swiftly locked in battle on that fateful night and morning.

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Put simply, we're still here. Still fighting. We haven't surrendered nor do we intend too.

Farming is a constant battle. Market farming is downright combat! You combat the weather. Soil. Prices of seed and materials. Animals and varmints. Gosh, the list could go on. Then the frontline is firmly established once you reach market. But survive we did.

Our market season is now completed. Successes were embraced and recorded. Failures will be learned from. Hopefully, I can now once again devote more time to my writing and share the blessings we live. But even then, things don't show any sign of slowing down much. At least not in the short term.

Even as I write these words my mind is on the tasks that need to be done. Over the past growing season we peaked out at just under 4 acres of produce. Our herd of pigs has grown from two to now four. Our egg layer operation has doubled to close to 200 birds. Combine that with the fact that I also work off-farm and you can imagine how hectic things can get. But, we are a family farm - by that I mean we all have a role to do and pitch in accordingly. And even a greater blessing was granted when we took on a extern this season, which I will discuss more later. So in conclusion, keep on doing exactly what you dream. Don't surrender, hoist that flag of independence high. After all, we're still here and I bet if you are reading this, you are too. Be blessed, John

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